Adults (16 years and over) may be at risk of harm due to:
- mental illness,
- old age,
- frailty or physical weakness,
- physical or learning disability,
- visual or hearing impairment.
Harm may be physical, emotional, sexual, financial or caused by neglect.
If you are affected by any kind of harm, abuse, exploitation or neglect, it is important to know that this is not your fault and there are ways to get help. It is vital that you talk to someone.
You can call any of the following numbers:
- Aberdeen City Council Duty Social Work Team/Out of Hours Social Work Team (24 hours): 0800 731 5520
- Police Scotland: 101
- Care Inspectorate: 0345 600 9527
Or you can report your concern to Aberdeen City Council using the following Reporting Form
Accessible Information about supporting and protecting adults at risk of harm
Please click on these links:
1. Aberdeen Leaflet - Help if you are being harmed and need support, including who to contact (Aug 23)
2. Aberdeen Leaflet - What you need to know about Adult Support and Protection (ASP) (Aug 23)
3. Aberdeen Leaflet - What you need to know about ASP Case Conferences (Aug 23)
4. Grampian Leaflet - Information about Harms, and who to contact
Support from Hourglass
Hourglass provides the UK’s only dedicated Helpline for those experiencing (or concerned about) the harm, abuse or exploitation of older people. The Helpline is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. It’s entirely confidential and free to call from a landline or mobile and will not appear on your phone bill.
The helpline number is 0808 808 8141
Follow the link to a list of additional support organisations from Hourglass resource
"Tell Someone" campaign
Tell Someone is a campaign created to raise awareness about Adult Support and Protection Act 2007. Find out more with the Tell Someone video and more information.
Financial harm
This might involve any of the following:
- Feeling under pressure to hand over money or possessions;
- Exploitation of property or welfare benefits or stopping someone getting their money or possessions, stealing, cheating or fraud; or
- Being under pressure to re-write a will.
Find out more at the Act Against Harm Financial Harm webpage.
Missing People with Dementia
The Herbert Protocol has been used many times to help police and other agencies quickly and safely locate missing people who have dementia. Find out more on the Police Scotland website.
Suicide
Help is available when you're feeling low – you don't have to hurt yourself or suffer in silence. If you're in crisis or struggling to cope, follow the link to find out more about services which can help: NHS Inform - Services which can help
Appropriate Adults
The role of an Appropriate Adult is to facilitate communication between adults (people aged 16 or over) who have mental ill health or learning disability who become involved in the justice system as witnesses, victims or accused persons. To find out more, go to the Clarity in Communication - Appropriate Adults website. This includes four audio visual links which have been developed to help people understand the important role of an Appropriate Adult.
Adults up to the age of 26
Aberdeen Young Person's Rights Service remit is to provide advocacy, guidance and support to Aberdeen children, young people and young adults, aged 0-26 years old, who are care experienced or are or have been involved in child protection processes, wherever they live.
Corporate Parenting – Various public bodies are defined by law as Corporate Parents and have responsibilities to uphold the rights and safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people who are looked after and care experienced.
More information can be found on our Support for Children and Young People pages